The life of one of the USA's Founding Fathers, its second
President, and his role in the nation's first 50 years.

Episodes

Seen it: Yes 60 mins
3/16/20081.Join or Die

In an
emotionally charged trial John Adams defends the British
sentries involved in the Boston Massacre who contend they were
provoked into firing on the assembled crowd. John's success
brings him offers of positions in the Massachusetts
government. But after John Hancock rouses a crowd to tar and
feather a representative of the British East India Tea Company
and the British respond to the growing unrest with oppressive
measures, John instead speaks against the British policies and
chooses to represent Massachusetts in the Continental
Congress.

After
viewing the dead and wounded on the battlefield of Concord,
John Adams takes up the cause of Independence. Frustrated by
the caution of delegates from colonies that do not share
Massachusetts plight, the inexperienced politician is
abrasive, obnoxious and even insulting. But with the advice of
Abigail and Ben Franklin he soon learns he has allies, to
cultivate them, to bide his time and to seize opportunities.
Following John's nomination, George Washington takes charge of
the army and enjoys successes despite supply shortages. Back
at home, Abigail and the children risk supporting the war
effort in most tangible ways but find Mother Nature more
threatening.

Over
the emotional objections of Abigail, John Adam and his son
endure turbulent seas and an encounter with the British Navy
to join Ben Franklin on a diplomatic mission to Paris. But Ben
cannot restrain John's abrasive personality which is even less
well suited to Paris than Philadelphia.

Following the surrender of the British, John secures a long
sought loan from the Dutch and returns to Paris to oversee the
peace treaty. John can no longer bear his absence from Abigail
and invites her to Paris which immediately overwhelms her with
it's opulence. John is appointed ambassador to England but
soon longs to return home to participate in the formation of
the new government and, like Abigail, to be reunited with the
children. They return home to an overwhelming welcome and John
reluctantly returns to public service.

John
Adams chaffs under the mantle of Vice President for its utter
lack of authority and responsibility. Despite his abhorrence
of the divisiveness of political parties John is drawn to the
Federalist camp favoring a strong executive. Divisions even
reach into the President's cabinet, exacerbated by war in
Europe.

Following the peace treaty with England President Adams
struggles to avoid war with France despite pressure from his
Federalist cabinet and French provocation. John finds the
price of peace to his career and the price of his long career
of public service to his family is indeed high.

In
retirement John Adams laments the perils of a long life; loss
of loved ones and growing irrelevance. But out of tragedy John
rekindles his broken friendship with Thomas Jefferson and
lives to discuss John Quincy's ambitious presidential agenda
with him.